First 30 Days in Saudi Arabia – Financial & Lifestyle Checklist for Expats (2025 Edition)

Symmary: A practical, step‑by‑step playbook for your first month in Saudi Arabia—designed for banking, housing, insurance, SIMs, remittances, transport, schooling, and daily life. It’s built to be printed, screenshotted, or dropped into your notes app. Zero fluff; every line is something you’ll actually use.

TL;DR checklist (save this): 1) Day 0–3: Get a local SIM/eSIM, map your address/plus code, and set up a digital wallet for immediate payments. 2) Week 1: Gather Iqama, employer salary letter, and lease/Ejar; open a bank account and add beneficiaries. 3) Week 2: Run your first remittance (test amount), start health insurance claims flow, choose school tours, and shortlist neighborhoods (bus routes!). 4) Week 3: Finalize housing, connect utilities/Internet, buy furniture essentials, and set your emergency plan (hospitals + 911 wallet card). 5) Week 4: Tune your budget, set up recurring transfers, finish banking apps and MFA, and book Ramadan/holiday travel if relevant.

Deep‑dive links (for details):

• Culture & Daily Life: /expats/culture-religion-daily-life

• Safety & Emergency Numbers: /expats/safety-and-security

• Expat by the Numbers (rents, inflation, payments): /expats/expat-statistics

• Moving with Pets: /expats/moving-with-pets

How to use this guide

• Follow the timeline—we’ve sequenced tasks to reduce queuing, rework, and mismatched paperwork.

• Copy the scripts—they’re tuned to what staff actually ask for.

• Open the deep‑dives when you need nuance (dress code, Ramadan etiquette, photography, emergency numbers, pets). We’ve already built dedicated pages: Culture & Daily Life, Safety & Security, Expat by the Numbers, Moving with Pets.

• Print the checklists or save them in your notes app; tick as you go.

Day 0–3: Land, connect, and get your bearings

1) Get a local number (SIM/eSIM) and keep your home number alive

• At the airport: You’ll find tourist SIM kiosks; they’re fine for immediate data. If you’re here on a residency route, you can switch to a resident plan after your Iqama.

• City shops: Often cheaper, with more plan choices; bring passport (and Iqama later) for registration.

• Keep your home number: Convert it to an eSIM/low‑cost retention plan for banking OTPs and 2FA back home.

• Name matching matters: Make sure your SIM registration name matches your passport—it avoids future bank OTP mismatches.

• Cross‑link: For etiquette and privacy when using your phone in public, see Culture & Daily Life (photography/consent).

2) Pin your address like a local

• Save your compound gate or building entrance as a plus code in your maps app and share it with HR, drivers, and delivery apps. Add landmarks (nearest mosque/park/mall entrance) to your contact card.

3) Set up a digital wallet for instant paying

• Install one wallet that works widely (for taxis, cafés, small stores). Top up with your card/cash and store frequent payees (landlord, school admissions, utility deposit).

• Keep small cash for tips and markets.

4) Two hospital pins + emergency script

• Use our Safety guide to save 911 and regional legacy numbers; pin your nearest ER (home/work) and learn to describe your location with a plus code.

• Put a wallet card in your phone case: your blood type/allergies, emergency contact, and hospital names.

• Cross‑link: /expats/safety-and-security

5) First grocery & home basics run (starter kit)

• Drinking water, snacks, cleaning supplies, laundry pods, multi‑plug, extension, USB‑C/Lightning cables, surge‑protected power strip, masking tape, dish soap, trash bags, basic tool set (screwdriver, tape measure), and spare bulbs.

• If you’ll assemble furniture, add Allen keys and a small hammer.

Week 1: Documents, wallet → bank, address, and first appointments

1) Documents to keep in one folder

• Passport + visa page

• Iqama (once issued)

• Employment contract and salary letter (HR can issue a generic “to whom it may concern”)

• Insurance card/policy (temporary coverage letter works until card arrives)

• Marriage/birth certificates for dependents (originals + scans)

• School records (report cards, transfer certificate), vaccination records

• Lease/Ejar (if already signed), utility application receipts

Pro‑tip: Make a single PDF with everything; share on a need‑to‑know basis.

2) Wallet → bank: your first payments workflow

• Why wallet first? It lets you pay for deliveries, taxis, and deposits before your bank is operational.

• Open a bank account after your Iqama is issued; bring Iqama, salary letter, and a mobile number in your name.

• Online banking & MFA: Enable app‑based authentication (not just SMS). Save backup codes offline.

• Add beneficiaries (home & local) and run a test transfer of a small amount to detect errors before payday.

• Cross‑link: see Best Bank Accounts for Expats and Remittances by Corridor (when you publish those pages, link here).

3) Address admin (mail, deliveries, Ejar)

• If you’re in a compound, ask for the exact address format and gate instructions.

• When viewing apartments, ask the landlord/agent to prepare Ejar (digital lease) and provide a draft with start/end dates, rent schedule, and deposit.

• Cross‑link: our Renting vs Compounds guide covers Ejar clauses, deposits, and move‑in inspections.

4) Health insurance: activate and learn the claims flow

• Ask HR for your policy summary, network, and co‑pay rules.

• Add your dependents as soon as eligible; keep passports and vaccination records ready.

• Learn where to go: which clinic for routine care and which hospital for emergencies.

• Cross‑link: Insurance in Saudi for Expats (health/car/travel/family overview).

5) School shortlist & booking

• Shortlist 2–3 schools based on curriculum (British/US/IB/CBSE/FBISE) and bus routes. Book tours/assessments early; seats go quickly in peak grades.

• Bring report cards, transfer letter, vaccinations, and passport copies.

• Cross‑link: Education for Expats (city‑by‑city tuition and allowances).

Week 2: Housing + schooling + health setup

1) Choose where to live (renting vs compound)

• Compounds: Community, facilities, and services bundled; often higher rent but easier arrivals. Good for families and first‑timers.

• City apartments/villas: More choice and price range; closer to specific districts; check parking, security, and fiber Internet availability.

• Rent rhythm: Many landlords ask for quarterly or annual cheques; confirm maintenance responsibilities and exit conditions in writing.

• Cross‑link: Where to Live in Saudi Arabia — Renting vs Compounds (deposits, Ejar, inspections, pros/cons).

Viewing checklist (bring this):

• Building access (elevators, ramps), parking slot, noise levels, dust ingress, water pressure, A/C age/service history.

• Ask for last pest control service and maintenance contacts.

• If you work hybrid, test a speed check inside the unit.

2) Utilities & Internet plan

• Confirm electricity meter transfer, water account, and Internet availability (fiber vs 5G home).

• Get a temporary pocket router as backup until fixed internet is live.

• Keep account numbers and service provider contacts in your admin vault.

3) Health setup

• Register at your chosen clinic; upload insurance details; know ER entry process.

• Save 24/7 pharmacy near your home and a pediatric option if you have kids.

• Pack a home kit: digital thermometer, basic meds (per your doctor), adhesive bandages, oral rehydration salts, and a small first‑aid kit.

4) School assessments & buses

• Confirm assessment dates, fee schedule, and bus map.

• If waitlisted, stay active: check in every 1–2 weeks and be ready for short‑notice assessment slots.

Week 3: Settling in—utilities, Internet, transport, and home kit

1) Utilities go‑live + bill schedule

• Take photos of meter readings at move‑in.

• Add bill due dates to your calendar; align with payday to avoid late fees.

• If your building uses prepaid meters, learn the top‑up method.

2) Internet & streaming sanity

• Confirm router placement (central, elevated, away from appliances).

• For remote work, consider a 5G hotspot as failover.

• If you game or do heavy video calls, ask for bridge mode or public IP if your work needs it.

3) Transport choices and driving plan

• For the first month, rely on ride‑hail to learn routes and traffic patterns.

• If you plan to drive, review conversion/lessons; keep license, insurance, and Istimara (registration) together.

• Basic car kit: triangles, torch, wipes, water, phone mount, spare charging cable.

• Cross‑link: Driving in Saudi Arabia as an Expat (licenses, car loans, insurance).

4) Home safety & etiquette

• Put emergency numbers on the fridge; agree a meeting point in your building/compound.

• For photography and privacy in public spaces, see Culture & Daily Life (what to ask before you shoot)

Week 4: Money rhythm—salary, remittances, budgeting, and insurance

1) First payroll → clean money flows

• Confirm salary date and IBAN. When funds land, run your first remittance—start with a small amount, then the main transfer when you see it arrive correctly.

• Save beneficiary profiles and label them (Rent, Family, School) to avoid mistakes.

2) Budget baseline (set it once; tweak monthly)

• Rent (or compound fee), utilities, Internet, transport (ride‑hail/fuel), groceries, school (fees, uniforms, lunches), remittances, insurance, savings.

• Use the 50/30/20 frame (needs/wants/saving) as a starting point; adjust for your rent and school reality.

3) Insurance moves to stop surprises

• Health: Understand co‑pays, network, and referral rules; store your member ID in your phone’s wallet app.

• Car: Keep your policy, Najm how‑to for accidents (minor insured collisions), and emergency numbers handy.

• Travel: If you’ll fly often, set a travel insurance default (annual multi‑trip may be cost‑effective).

• Cross‑link: Insurance in Saudi for Expats (health, car, travel, family).

4) Future calendar: renewals & high‑stakes dates

• Note Iqama renewal window, lease end date, insurance renewal, school term dates, and vacation windows.

• Add reminder pairs (30 days before + 7 days before).

City lenses—Riyadh, Jeddah, Eastern Province

Riyadh

• Expect peak evening traffic and busy malls Thu/Fri; build 15–20 minute buffers for appointments.

• Shortlist two neighborhoods: one close to work/schools, another with better space‑to‑rent ratio.

• Lots of international schools and compounds; book assessments early.

Jeddah

• Corniche culture, late evenings, strong food/arts scene.

• For families, balance school commute and seaside lifestyle; humidity can shape your A/C usage and evening plans.

Eastern Province (Dammam/Khobar/Dhahran)

• Corporate housing clusters; school communities are tight‑knit.

• Weekend beach mornings and evening sports (padel/tennis).

Scripts that work (EN/AR)

HR — salary letter request (EN)

“Could you issue a salary letter stating my monthly gross, position, and start date, addressed ‘To whom it may concern’ for bank/landlord use?”

طلب خطاب تعريف بالراتب — AR

«هل ممكن إصدار خطاب تعريف بالراتب يوضح الراتب الشهري والمسمى الوظيفي وتاريخ المباشرة وموجّه لمن يهمه الأمر لاستخدامه لدى البنك/المالك؟»

Bank — onboarding checklist (EN)

“I have my Iqama and salary letter. What else do you need to open the account and activate online banking?”

تأكيد فتح الحساب البنكي — AR

«لدي الإقامة وخطاب من جهة العمل. ما المتطلبات الأخرى لـ فتح الحساب وتفعيل الخدمات الإلكترونية؟»

Landlord/agent — Ejar timing (EN)

“We’re ready to proceed. Please share the Ejar draft with start/end dates, rent schedule, and deposit so we can pay on signing.”

تأكيد عقد إيجار — AR

«جاهزون لإتمام الإيجار. نرجو مشاركة مسودة إيجار تتضمن تاريخ البداية/النهاية وجدول الدفعات والتأمين حتى نسدّد عند التوقيع.»

School — assessment request (EN)

“We’ve just arrived and would like to book assessments for [child/grade]. Could you share available dates, document list, and bus routes?”

طلب تقييم قبول — AR

«وصلنا حديثاً ونرغب في حجز تقييم قبول لـ [الطفل/الصف]. ما المواعيد المتاحة، والمستندات المطلوبة، ومسارات الحافلات؟»

Emergency — wallet card (EN)

“Emergency at [plus code/address]. Adult/child with [problem]. Breathing? conscious? [Yes/No]. Landmark: [store/mosque]. Call me at [number].” Cross‑link: Safety guide (numbers & apps): sandbox:/mnt/data/giraffy-expat-guide-33-safety-and-security-ksa-2025-FINAL.html.

Tables & checklists—print or screenshot

A) Documents (keep one PDF and a folder of scans)

B) Housing viewing checklist

C) Budget baseline (customize these lines)

D) First remittance checklist

• Recipient name matches exactly (no typos).

• Correct account/wallet/branch details.

• Purpose selected (tuition/family support/medical).

• Small test first; confirm arrival; then send main amount.

• Save receipt and case number (if chat support is used).

• Cross‑link: Remittances by Country guide.

FAQ—edge cases we see in Month One

Q1. My salary hit my account but online banking isn’t active yet. What do I do? Ask your bank to activate online banking in‑branch; bring Iqama, salary letter, and your registered mobile. Run a small test transfer before moving larger funds.

Q2. The school we want is full—waitlist? Yes. Stay active, ask for assessment slots, and request bus route info so you can choose a temporary home that still works for commute.

Q3. Do I need a car in Month One? Not necessarily; ride‑hail is good for the first month while you learn routes and parking. Decide later if buying/leasing fits your budget and commute.

Q4. Our apartment is great but the Internet is slow. Keep a 5G hotspot as backup and move your router away from appliances; talk to your provider about router placement or bridge mode if your work requires it.

Q5. How do I handle emergency calls if I’m not fluent in Arabic? Learn the plus code trick and use clear phrases. Many operators handle English; see Safety & Security for scripts.

Q6. What about Ramadan if we arrive then? Expect later nights and adjusted hours; avoid eating/drinking in public during daylight; plan errands after iftar. See Culture & Daily Life for etiquette.

Crosslinks to the rest of the Expats Hub (save these)

• Culture, religion & daily life → /expats/culture-religion-daily-life

• Safety & security (911, Najm, apps) → /expats/safety-and-security

• Expat stats (inflation/rents, non‑cash payments) → /expats/expat-statistics

• Renting vs compounds → /expats/where-to-live-renting-vs-compounds

• Driving, car loans & insurance → /expats/driving-car-loans-insurance

• Insurance hub (health/car/travel/family) → /expats/insurance-overview

• Education hub (fees, curricula, allowances) → /expats/education-guide

• Remittances by country (India, PH, PK, EG, UK/US/CA) → /expats/remittances-by-country

• Moving with pets → /expats/moving-with-pets

_Last updated September 1, 2025. This is practical guidance, not legal advice. For rules that can change (bank onboarding policies, school admissions timing, insurance networks), confirm with the official provider on the day you act._

Pre‑arrival (T‑30 to T‑0) — do these before you fly

T‑30 to T‑21 days

• Contracts & letters: Ask HR for a signed contract and a template salary letter (even if issued later).

• Medical insurance: Confirm start date and whether a temporary certificate is available on arrival.

• School documents: Scan report cards, transfer certificate, vaccination record, and passport photos.

• Bank & MFA prep: Convert critical home‑country bank logins to authenticator apps; store backup codes offline.

• Mail handling: Choose a trusted person or virtual mailbox; redirect key statements.

T‑20 to T‑10 days

• Phone plan: Enable international roaming or switch your home SIM to an eSIM so it stays alive for OTPs.

• Finance: Keep a backup card and small USD/EUR cash for first expenses if your card fails.

• Housing research: Shortlist 3–5 neighborhoods and 10–12 listings to view in Week 2; note commutes and school bus coverage.

• Remittance setup: Create accounts with two remittance providers; pre‑add beneficiaries so you can test quickly in Week

T‑7 to T‑0 days

• Arrival pack: Print hotel/temporary housing confirmation, address plus code, and airport pick‑up details.

• Carry‑on essentials: Copies of passport/visa, contract, insurance letter, emergency meds, list of allergies, universal power adapter, and charging cables.

• First grocery list: Save it in your notes (you’ll be jet‑lagged).

Deep dive — bank onboarding (what actually happens)

1) Queue & ID: Bring Iqama (when issued), passport, your registered mobile, and salary letter. 2) KYC questions: You’ll be asked about employer, address, and purpose of the account (salary). Keep your lease/Ejar or hotel address handy. 3) Mobile number binding: Staff may send an OTP to confirm your number—ensure your SIM is installed and has signal. 4) Debit card & online banking: Ask to activate online banking right away; download the app in‑branch if possible. 5) First login: Switch MFA to an authenticator app if allowed; store backup codes offline. 6) Add beneficiaries: Home‑country recipients (family, yourself) and local (landlord/agents) with nicknames to prevent errors. 7) Test transfer: Send a small amount; confirm arrival before the main remittance. Save the receipt.

If anything stalls: Ask for a case number and a named agent; polite persistence works. See scripts below.

Housing — micro‑playbooks by situation

Solo professional

• Prioritize commute and quiet work hours. Small studios in central districts or a compound room can be efficient.

• Check gym access and nearby late‑opening grocery options.

Couple

• Balance space with location. One‑bedroom in a walkable pocket or a compound with pool/gym can be ideal.

• Confirm visitor rules and parking for a second car later.

Family with kids

• Choose a home inside bus routes; school commute quality drives daily happiness.

• Ask schools about after‑school clubs and holiday camps; some neighborhoods coordinate carpools.

Viewing scripts (EN)

“We’re new arrivals and need move‑in within [date]. Does the unit include [appliances] and is Ejar ready on signing?”

نص المعاينة (AR)

«نحن جدد ونحتاج للانتقال قبل [التاريخ]. هل الشقة تشمل [الأجهزة] وهل إيجار جاهز عند التوقيع؟»

Utilities, Internet & home services — a smoother sequence

1) Electricity/water: Transfer or open accounts before furniture delivery; take meter photos at handover. 2) Internet: If fiber is not yet installed, book 5G home or use a pocket router; place the router centrally and elevate it. 3) Gas & maintenance: Learn shut‑off points; get your landlord’s maintenance hotline and expected response times. 4) Cleaning & deliveries: Save two cleaning contacts and two grocery delivery options to avoid dependency on one app. 5) Receipts: Keep digital copies of deposits and invoices—handy for move‑out and tax admin back home.

Budgeting in Month One — a template that adapts

Your first baseline: Rent; utilities; Internet/mobile; transport; groceries; school (fees/bus/lunch/uniforms); insurance; remittances; savings. Start with a conservative estimate, then adjust after 2–3 weeks when real bills arrive.

Buffer: Aim for 1–2 months of expenses parked locally. If you remittance heavy, keep a mini‑buffer at destination too.

Save time with naming: In your banking app, label recipients by purpose (“Rent‑[District]”, “School‑[Child]”).

“If you arrive during…” — special months

Ramadan

• Expect late‑night rhythms; plan daytime errands with care; greet with “Ramadan Kareem”. Restaurants may serve discreetly at lunchtime; evenings are vibrant.

Peak summer

• Move heavy activities to early mornings and after sunset; test apartment A/C and insulation. Keep electrolyte sachets at home.

School intake months

• Seats can be tight; have Plan B and Plan C (two curricula or two nearby schools). Keep documents ready for quick assessments.

First‑month mistakes to avoid (and fixes)

1) SIM name mismatch → OTP chaos → Register SIM exactly as on your passport/Iqama. 2) Single remittance provider → If it goes down, you’re stuck; set up two. 3) No test transfer → Always send a small amount first. 4) Slow Ejar → Don’t pay full deposits before draft lease is ready. 5) No emergency plan → Save 911 and two hospitals on day one. 6) Assuming all shops close at prayer → Many stay open; ask at the counter; plan small buffers. 7) Underestimating school admin → Start tours/assessments in Week 1–2. 8) Router in a corner → Move it central/high, away from appliances. 9) No buffer → Life happens; park a month’s expenses if you can. 10) Not photographing meters & walls at move‑in → Do it; store photos in your housing folder.

Day‑by‑day micro calendar (save this to notes)

Day 0: Land → SIM/eSIM → wallet → pin address/plus code → water/snacks → sleep. Day 1: HR check‑in → map hospitals/pharmacy → first grocery → list apartments/schools. Day 2: Telco name check → emergency wallet card → bank pre‑req list → school emails. Day 3: View apartments (2–3) → ride‑hail the routes you’ll use for work/school. Day 4: Bank (if Iqama) → activate app/MFA → add beneficiaries; if no Iqama yet, finish wallet setup. Day 5: Clinic registration → pharmacy PINs saved → kids’ records organized. Day 6: School tours/assessments booked → housing Plan A/B chosen. Day 7: Restock, laundry, admin catch‑up; message family with new number and address. Week 2: Lease signing/Ejar → utilities/Internet requests → school assessments. Week 3: Furniture essentials → transport plan → test remittance. Week 4: First payroll → main remittance → budget locked → renewal calendar set.

Family add‑ons — what parents thank us for later

• Uniform & gear list: Ask for PE kits, swim bags, house colors, lunch rules.

• Bus etiquette: Teach children the pickup window, driver’s name, and what to do if a ride is missed.

• Weekend plan: Shortlist parks, indoor play, and swim lessons; book early for popular times.

• Community: Join WhatsApp parent groups by class/grade; it’s where schedules and reminders live.

Singles & couples — quick wins

• Gym/club trial weeks: Try two gyms or padel clubs before committing to a contract.

• Social circles: Explore language exchanges, running clubs, and volunteer events; they scale quickly into friendships.

• Micro‑meal plan: Save five easy meals for busy weeks; stock staples on Day 1 (eggs, oats, pasta, rice, frozen veg, canned beans/tuna).

Extra scripts (EN/AR) you’ll actually send

Bank — first remittance check (EN)

“I’ve added [Recipient Name]. Could you confirm cut‑off times and expected delivery for [country] before I send a test transfer?”

البنك — تحويل تجريبي (AR)

«أضفت [اسم المستفيد]. هل يمكن تأكيد أوقات الإغلاق ووقت الوصول المتوقع إلى [الدولة] قبل إرسال تحويل تجريبي؟»

Internet provider — installation slot (EN)

“We’ve moved into [address/plus code]. What’s the earliest installation and do you need the Ejar copy?”

مزود الإنترنت — موعد التركيب (AR)

«انتقلنا إلى [العنوان/الرمز]. ما أقرب موعد للتركيب وهل تحتاجون نسخة من عقد إيجار؟»

School — bus route request (EN)

“Could you share the bus route map and pickup window for [district] so we can choose the best lease location?”

المدرسة — مسارات الحافلات (AR)

«هل يمكن مشاركة خريطة مسارات الحافلات ووقت المرور بحي [الحي] لاختيار موقع السكن الأنسب؟»

Admin vault — folder structure that saves hours

• 01_IDs: Passport, visa, Iqama, DL.

• 02_Employment: Contract, salary letters, pay slips.

• 03_Banking: IBANs, beneficiaries, remittance receipts, app backup codes.

• 04_Housing: Lease/Ejar, meter photos, maintenance logs, deposits.

• 05_Health: Insurance card, clinic registrations, vaccination records.

• 06_Education: Report cards, assessments, fee letters, bus maps.

• 07_Travel: Exit/re‑entry permissions, itineraries, hotel bookings.

• 08_Community: Club memberships, event calendars.

• 09_Checklists: Printable versions of this guide’s lists.

Printable mini‑checklists

Arrival bag (carry‑on)

• Passport + visa, contract, insurance letter, meds + allergies, chargers + adapter, snacks, pen.

Home starter kit

• Water, cleaning supplies, basic tools, surge protector, extension cords, spare bulbs, trash bags, laundry pods, dish soap, paper towels.

Car kit (if driving)

• License/insurance copies, triangles, torch, wipes, bottle of water, phone mount, charging cable, small first‑aid kit.

Emergency wallet card

• 911 + nearest ER, blood type/allergies, employer/HR number, compound gate, plus code.